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We have derived homopause temperatures of 180–250 K for the 8-µm north-polar hot spot (8NPHS) of Jupiter by fitting CH 4 emission models to 3 and 8 µm spectra of the 8NPHS obtained 24 days apart in 2013. From the fits, we find that CH 4 mixing ratios at the 8NPHS are consistent with those reported by Kim et al. (2014) in equatorial regions. We propose possible mechanisms to account for the temperature of the 8NPHS homopause, which is relatively cool compared with the temperatures of other auroral regions, including locally-fixed and transient but energetic auroral particle precipitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have obtained 3.3–3.4-μm spectro-images of Jupiter including CH 4 and H 3 + emission lines from both polar regions at the Gemini North telescope. We find that the peak of the 3-μm CH 4 northern bright spot is located at ∼200° (SysIII) longitude, ∼20° west of the center of the 8-μm north-polar bright spot, and does not coincide with the 3-μm H 3 + bright spot. We derive high temperatures (500–850 K) from CH 4 rotational lines on the bright spots of both polar regions, above the 1-μbar pressure level, while we find cooler temperatures (<350 K) over the 8-μm spot. The intensity ratios of the various 3-μm vibrational bands of CH 4 are roughly constant, indicating that the upper states of these bands are mostly populated by non-thermal excitation mechanisms, such as auroral particle precipitation and/or Joule heating, in contrast with the 8-μm thermal emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have obtained Gemini/GNIRS 3.3–3.4 μm spectra of Jupiter at 65o North latitude over a range of longitudes roughly centered on the 8-μm CH 4 north polar hot spot (8CNPHS). The spectra were measured on four occasions during a four-month period in 2018, in order to search for variability of the 3-μm emissions of CH 4 and C 2 H 6. The observed locations of the brightest spots of the C 2 H 6 and CH 4 emissions at 65oN differed in longitude typically by 20o during this period. The peak emission intensities of these species showed large variations, with the highest intensities 3–4 times greater than the lowest intensities. In addition, the brightest 3-μm CH 4 emissions and hottest temperatures at the 8CNPHS were significantly less than those at the 3-μm CH 4 north polar hot spot (3CNPHS, Kim et al., 2015). Recently, Sinclair et al. (2019) reported a coincidence between solar wind dynamical pressure and the 8-μm brightening of the 8CNPHS. In contrast, we find lack of correlation in our data between the 3-μm hydrocarbon emission intensities at the 8CNPHS and the solar wind strength. We also find lack of correlation between H 3 + intensities and the solar wind strength during the period. However, due to the limited observational data, it is too early to conclude whether this lack of correlation indicates that the solar wind activity induced no significant changes in local temperatures (<40 K) and/or mixing ratios of these molecules. Our observing period was close to the historic grand solar minimum. The detailed influence of the solar activity on the 3 and 8 μm brightness at the 8CNPHS is not quantitatively understood at the present time. • Gemini/GNIRS 3.3–3.4 μm spectra of the 8-μm CH 4 north polar hot spot (8CNPHS) of Jupiter were obtained. • Four occasions during a five-month period in 2018 were observed. • The variability of the 3-μm emission intensities of CH 4 , C 2 H 6 , and H 3 + was studied. • The peak intensities of these species showed the highest 3–4 times greater than the lowest. • We find lack of correlation between the 3-μm hydrocarbon intensities at the 8CNPHS and the solar wind strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]